Here are a list of my resources from Application 5-Differentiating Instruction in Your Classroom assignment.
These resources focus on the three elements of readiness, interest, and learning profile.
Readiness Two sites that can be used for pre-assessment are SurveyGizmo, http://www.surveygizmo.com/ , and SurveyMonkey, www.surveymonkey.com . These online survey tools are easy to use, free, and can provide educators with valuable information based on questions they create for their individual classrooms. Using these two online survey tools allows the educator to identify the learning needs of particular students so that instruction can be adjusted.
Interest Educators can find out what students are interested in very easily by using not only the online survey’s mentioned above, but also use a variety of software tools so that students have the ability to express their interests in a variety of ways. One example can be the use of a tool called Prezi, http://prezi.com/ . This type of technology tool can be used for students to create presentations about themselves or specific topics they are learning. Having students use Prezi as a way to introduce themselves to the class at the beginning of the year is a great way to develop a safe classroom collaborative learning environment. The use of this tool allows the student a chance to build a presentation that can stand on its own or it be guided by the student. The graphics and special effects are somewhat different from what they have previously been exposed to with other presentation software.
Learning Profile Supporting a student’s learning profile with a wide variety of technology tools is important for educators to know. One example is the use of WebQuests by using the WebQuest Maker at http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/web_quest/ . The WebQuest Maker guides educators step-by-step with the creation of all of the elements that make up a WebQuest for their own content area. The purpose of a WebQuest is to guide students through the inquiry process using assigned tasks that will steer them towards developing a conclusion or a product as the result. WebQuests can enhance a lesson or unit by further exposing students to the Internet, guiding them in with their discovery, and engaging the students with their learning. When using WebQuests, students are exposed to places they have never seen before or ideas that they have never thought about.
These resources focus on the three elements of readiness, interest, and learning profile.
Readiness
Two sites that can be used for pre-assessment are SurveyGizmo, http://www.surveygizmo.com/ , and SurveyMonkey, www.surveymonkey.com . These online survey tools are easy to use, free, and can provide educators with valuable information based on questions they create for their individual classrooms. Using these two online survey tools allows the educator to identify the learning needs of particular students so that instruction can be adjusted.
Interest
Educators can find out what students are interested in very easily by using not only the online survey’s mentioned above, but also use a variety of software tools so that students have the ability to express their interests in a variety of ways. One example can be the use of a tool called Prezi, http://prezi.com/ . This type of technology tool can be used for students to create presentations about themselves or specific topics they are learning. Having students use Prezi as a way to introduce themselves to the class at the beginning of the year is a great way to develop a safe classroom collaborative learning environment. The use of this tool allows the student a chance to build a presentation that can stand on its own or it be guided by the student. The graphics and special effects are somewhat different from what they have previously been exposed to with other presentation software.
Learning Profile
Supporting a student’s learning profile with a wide variety of technology tools is important for educators to know. One example is the use of WebQuests by using the WebQuest Maker at http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/web_quest/ . The WebQuest Maker guides educators step-by-step with the creation of all of the elements that make up a WebQuest for their own content area. The purpose of a WebQuest is to guide students through the inquiry process using assigned tasks that will steer them towards developing a conclusion or a product as the result. WebQuests can enhance a lesson or unit by further exposing students to the Internet, guiding them in with their discovery, and engaging the students with their learning. When using WebQuests, students are exposed to places they have never seen before or ideas that they have never thought about.
Marilyn Goodrich
K-12 Ed. Con.